Sixteen Steps You Need to Take if You Just Lost Your Job

You may have expected to lose your job, or it may have come from out of the blue. Regardless, when it comes, it seems you are never really prepared for it. You’re laid off—now what?

As the anxiety sets in, you begin to take stock of your situation. You may be carrying high credit card debt and other loans averaging 21% or more. Your savings may be depleted or are less than the debts you owe. The value of your home may be less than you owe. Over the past year you’ve watched your stocks and retirement savings lose nearly thirty-percent of their value. The timing couldn’t be worse you muse; the only safety net you had, a steady paycheck is gone. Now what do you do?

The goal of this book and this article is to take away some of that uncertainty and fear by cutting the learning curve and giving you concrete tasks designed to get you through this financially, psychologically and into a new job as soon as possible.

With that said, let's get down to business.

THE PRIMARY TASKS YOU NEED TO ACCOMPLISH DURING WEEK ONE ARE:

STEP 1: Schedule all doctor appointments

STEP 2: Submit your expense report

STEP 3: Check out your health care spending account

STEP 4: Call your state’s unemployment office—or—visit their website

STEP 5: Sign up for Sxipper, RobboForm or another form filling software